Luiss student Domenico Ciarcelluti is enrolled in the Master's Degree Program in Management: “It was challenging to prepare and improve my personal skills to gain admission to one of Italy's most prestigious universities.”

Domenico is actively involved in volunteer work with the Luiss chapter of the Community of Sant'Egidio, which he discovered through the university's VolontariaMENTE project. He primarily focuses on the “Scuole della Pace” project, which provides facilities for children in Rome's most challenging neighborhoods. “We spend a few hours with them in the afternoon, helping them with their homework. We become the friends they can count on, showing them what the world is like for university students and talking to them about the importance of culture, non-violence, and friendship,” he explains. The student describes the many challenges children often face, dealing with issues they shouldn't have to worry about at their age.

Despite the emergency, the commitment to keeping the children company remains constant: “We asked them to send drawings to create a 'quarantine diary' where they describe how they spend their days.” The Luiss student explains how, in such a challenging time, the need for connections is even stronger. “We try to keep our relationships close, especially since there are now plenty of tools to connect virtually.”

According to Domenico, the Luiss values closely tied to volunteer work are meritocracy and the celebration of excellence: “I've met so many children who, with the right tools, could become Italy's future stars.” 

The student urges everyone to have experiences like this: “Often, in difficult times, we tend to leave the most vulnerable behind, but sometimes all it takes to make another person happy is an internet connection.” He therefore recommends reaching out to volunteer organizations to help those who need it most: “The important thing is to take the plunge; the rest will follow naturally. You'll reap unimaginable benefits, starting with how your problems and anxieties will shrink—they'll tend to become much smaller.”

Domenico's fondest memory is from the months he spent as Creative Manager at the Luiss Language Café, where he had the chance to connect with people from all over the world. As for the future, he says: “I hope I always have the chance to keep learning, discovering, and never getting bored.”